Riding the Raisina Tiger

Riding the Raisina Tiger - a Politico-military thriller about an Army Chief who decided to take things into his own hands. AVAILABLE FOR FREE DOWNLOAD ON 26 JAN ON OCCASION OF REPUBLIC DAY FROM https://www.amazon.com/Riding-Raisina-Tiger-Story-military-ebook/dp/B01ALCCNSS

Friday, 10 January 2014

Holding that
promotion can't be denied to Army officers on extended tenure, the Supreme
Court today directed the elevation of a retired officer to the rank of
Lieutenant General.

"The denial
of promotion to the appellant (Maj Gen HM Singh VSM) mainly for the reason that
the appellant was on extension in service, to our mind, is unsustainable
besides being arbitrary," a Bench comprising Justices AK Patnaik and JS
Khehar ruled.

This was
especially so in the light of the fact that the vacancy had become available
well before the date of his retirement on superannuation, it said.

"We have,
therefore, no hesitation in rejecting the basis on which the claim of the
appellant for onward promotion to the rank of Lt General was declined by the
Appointments Committee of the Cabinet," the SC ruled.

It also noted that
the Selection Board had recommended his promotion on the basis of his record of
service - performance, leadership qualities and vision - out of a panel of four
names. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet did not record any reason to
negate the recommendation.

"We are
therefore of the view that the appellant deserves promotion to the rank of Lt
Gen from the date due to him. Ordered accordingly," the SC said.

Singh, who had
been commissioned as Second Lieutenant in June 1969 in the Armoured Corps and
permanently moved into the DRDO, shall be deemed to have been in service
against the rank of Lt Gen till February 28, 2009 when he attained the age of
60 years and entitled to all monetary benefits which would have been due to him
on account of his promotion and revised retiral benefits within three months.

The Selection
Board had cleared his promotion on February 27, 2008, two days before his
retirement as Maj Gen. In order to ensure that his claim was not frustrated,
the President had extended his service initially for three months and
subsequently till the approval of his promotion by the Appointments Committee.

NEW DELHI: Prime
Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday was briefed on the operational readiness
along the line of actual control (LAC) with China, in the backdrop of the Army
kicking off the raising of a new mountain strike corps to get "some
offensive punch" against the much larger People's Liberation Army.

The classified
briefing held in the military operations directorate, with defence minister AK
Antony, Army chief General Bikram Singh and others in attendance, came exactly
a week after the new XVII Mountain Strike Corps was raised at its temporary
headquarters at Ranchi.

The new corps, to
be headed by Lt General Raymond Joseph Noronha on promotion, will be raised
over the next seven years with around 90,000 soldiers. The corps, to be
eventually headquartered at Panagarh in West Bengal, will cost Rs 64,700 crore,
out of which around Rs 39,000 crore has being earmarked for capital
expenditure, said sources.

While the Cabinet
committee on security approved the new corps last July, the Army also wants the
long-pending infrastructure and "capability development plan" along
the "northern borders" with China to be speeded up. The price tag for
this, in turn, is pegged at Rs 26,155 crore.

While the PM, in
his last meeting with top military brass, said India must strive to develop
"comprehensive national power" to tackle the challenges posed by the
shift in the global strategic focus towards Asia-Pacific, he had also warned
the defence budget might have to be trimmed due to the economic slowdown.

The Army, on its
part, says the raising of two new infantry divisions (1,260 officers and 35,000
soldiers) at Lekhapani and Missamari (Assam) in 2009-2010 added muscle to the
"dissuasive posture" against China. The XVII Corps, in turn, will
ramp it up to the "deterrence" level. In other words, it will get
some "rapid reaction force" capability to launch a counter-offensive
into Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) in the event of any Chinese attack.

Apart from
"integral units" and two Para-Special Forces battalions, the new
corps will have two high-altitude infantry divisions (initially being raised at
Panagarh and Pathankot), two independent infantry brigades and two armoured
brigades spread across Ladakh, Uttarakhand and Sikkim.

The 1.13-million
strong Army already has three "strike" corps — Mathura (I Corps),
Ambala ( II Corps) and Bhopal (XXI Corps) — among its 13 such formations but
they are largely geared towards the land borders with Pakistan.

India only
belatedly realized the "greater challenge" posed by China, which has
at least five fully-operational airbases, an extensive rail network and over
58,000-km of roads in TAR. This allows China to move over 30 divisions (each with
over 15,000 soldiers) to the LAC, outnumbering Indian forces by at least 3:1
there, as earlier reported by TOI.

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today
reviewed the situation on borders with Pakistan and China and operational
preparedness of the Army and other two services at the Army Headquarters here.

Singh visited the
'war room' of the Directorate of Military Operations where he was given a
detailed briefing on the preparedness of the armed forces, Defence Ministry
officials said here.

The Prime Minister
was briefed about the situation along both the eastern and the western borders
and the operational readiness of the armed forces there, they said.

The Prime Minister
addresses the top tri-services brass at the Combined Commanders' Conference
annually but rarely comes to the Army Headquarters for such briefings, sources
said.

The visit comes at
a time when media reports have suggested that Chinese troops have been carrying
out frequent incursions into the areas along the Line of Actual Control (LAC)
in the northern and northeastern states.

The armed forces
are also gearing up for enhancing security preparedness in the backdrop of the
US pull out from Afghanisatn after which it is being feared that terror
elements will spread out in the region creating problems for countries such as
India.

http://news.outlookindia.com/items.aspx?artid=824181

Japan Seeks
India's Support on Disputes With China

Engaged in a
territorial dispute with China, Japan today sought to rope in India's support
over "the recent Chinese provocative actions" saying a message needs
to be sent to it collectively that status quo cannot be changed by force.

Japanese Defence
Minister Itsunori Onodera said dialogue is the only way to resolve the row
created by imposition of restrictions by China in the East China Sea and other
areas.

"For both
India and Japan, China is an important neighbouring country. Both countries
have important economic linkages with China. However, after the recent Chinese
provocative actions, entire international community will have to send a message
to China," he told PTI in an interview here.

"Both Japan
and India should ask for a dialogue with Chinese side and tell China not to
change status quo by force. These issues should be solved through dialogue and
following international rules," the Minister said.

He was responding
when asked whether India and Japan could come together on issues with China as
both the countries have territorial disputes with it.

The security
situation in the region against the backdrop of recent tensions between Japan
and China triggered by imposition of 'Air Defence Identification Zone' (ADIZ)
over East China Sea and other areas by China came up during talks between
Onodera and his Indian counterpart A K Antony here on Monday.

During the
meeting, Antony is understood to have told Onodera that India stands for
freedom of navigation in international waters and application of global
conventions.

After the ADIZ
started creating tensions in the South East Asian region, India had stated that
the issue should be resolved between the concerned parties through dialogue in
a peaceful way and it was against use of force to resolve the matters.

Asked about an
earlier proposal by Tokyo for forming a trilateral grouping of India, Japan and
the US to deal with challenges from China, Onodera said, "India and Japan
have good ties with the US. Economically and internationally and in terms of
military forces, these are big countries."

He said that,
"If India, Japan and the US are in cooperation and send a common message
to the Chinese side, that will mean a lot."

The Japanese
Defence Minister said his country shares strong ties with both India and the
US.

"We share the
same interests in safety of sea lanes of communications and to secure the
freedom of navigation. Trilaterally, India, Japan and the US should be
cooperating in these areas," he said.

On his talks with
Antony, Onodera said the two countries have decided to enhance their military
ties and a number of decisions were taken during the meeting.

The two sides have
agreed on cooperation in Peacekeeping Operations between their respective
agencies along with cooperation between the Japanese Ground Self Defence Forces
and the Indian Army, he said.

The two countries
have also decided to conduct staff exchanges and discuss possibility of
conducting staff talks between Japan Air Self-Defence Force and Indian Air
Force and professional exchanges of test-pilots, professional exchanges in the
field of flight safety and between their transport squadrons.

Last year, after a
long period of dithering and uncertainty, India’s cabinet finally gave the
go-ahead for the raising of a massive new offensive army unit, the
80-90,000-strong China-facing 17 Corps (a corps comprises roughly three
divisions). Its underlying purpose is to provide conventional deterrence
against China, strengthening India’s hand in crises. Four years after the idea
was first mooted, and after a rough year for Sino-Indian relations, it is
finally coming to fruition.

The new 17 Corps
is the most significant of India’s various efforts to respond to China’s rise
in general, and Chinese probing at the disputed in border in particular. Why?
Only three of India’s 13 existing army corps are so-called 'strike corps' (1, 2
and 21 Corps), all of which are directed towards Pakistan. 17 Corps will
therefore be the first such unit dedicated to China and the first dedicated to
mountain terrain, in which offensive operations are much more demanding.

It is now reported
that the corps will be based in Panagarh in the eastern state of West Bengal
from 2015 (it’s temporarily in Ranchi), with two divisions in Bihar and Assam,
and other units spread further. Panagarh was developed as part of the US Army’s
'over the hump’ operationsto supply
nationalist Chinese forces across the Himalayas during the Second World War.
India’s expanding fleet of American C-130 transport aircraft will also be
deployed there, making it easier to move troops across difficult terrain, as
will six new mid-air refueling aircraftthe air force is procuring. The corps commander will be Major General
Raymond Joseph Noronha, who currently heads the Northern Command’s 13 Corps,
which was raised after the Kargil War.

Not everyone is
celebrating. Some Indian analysts have argued that 17 Corps will further bloat
the Indian Army’s payroll, divert funds for more important capital
acquisitions, and be rendered immobile by the poor state of roads in India’s
north. Others contendthat China is more
vulnerable at sea than on land, and India's offensive capabilities should be
concentrated in the navy. The question now is whether 17 Corps will get up and
running on schedule (within eight years) or with the same torpor that preceded
its formation.

CHENNAI: An Army man accused of murdering his
sister's lover by smashing his head with a stone has been reinstated in service
after the Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT) intervened. Earlier, the Supreme Court
had acquitted him giving him the benefit of the doubt. But the Army refused his
plea for re-induction. The southern bench of AFT quashed the dismissal order as
he had been exonerated.

In July 2002, Army
sapper B Velu went on leave to his home in Krishnagiri. The police arrested
Velu along with two others on charges of conspiring and murdering a man who was
in a relationship with his sister. The principal sessions judge, Dharmapuri at
Krisnagiri in 2007 awarded him life imprisonment. The Madras high court in 2009
upheld the decision, stating the "chain of events unerringly pointed to
the guilt". He then moved the Supreme Court which pointed out there was
motive but evidence for guilt was not corroborated. "Suspicion, howsoever
strong, also cannot be a substitute for proof of the guilt," said the apex
court, acquitting him in 2012.

Velu then made
several representations to the Army stating "it is a settled principle
that a person affected in his employment by a conviction of a criminal court
should be placed in the previous position when he succeeds in the appeal."
As there was no reply, he filed a complaint with AFT.

The Army said
Velu's punishment set a bad example to his subordinates and was not desirable
in the uniformed services. As a result, he was issued a show-cause notice and
dismissed from service. The Army also pointed out the order of the Supreme
Court did not have any directions to reinstate the petitioner. Further, his
representations had been forwarded to HQ northern command. Velu's request was
being processed and there was delay as it was an administrative matter
requiring approval of various agencies, said the Army.

The bench
comprising judicial member V Periya Karuppiah and administrative member Anand
Mohan Verma said the dismissal order could not continue as the complainant had
been absolved of the criminal charges. It directed the Army to reinstate Velu
along with back wages from the date of dismissal, along with monetary benefits
including promotion and seniority.

KOLKATA: Defence
minister AK Antony accompanied by Army chief Gen Bikram Singh reached Kolkata
on a two-day visit on Thursday. At the Eastern Command headquarters, Antony was
briefed on the security scenario and operational preparedness of the troops by
GOC-in-C Lt Gen MMS Rai. The minister was also apprised of how peace and
tranquility is being maintained along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) as per
the Border Peace and Tranquility Agreement (BPTA) and Border Defence
Cooperation Agreement (BDCA).

"The briefing
was important as a lot of infrastructure is being developed in this sector for
better preparedness to counter any aggressive move from across the LAC. The
minister was also informed of the situation in the North East where troops are
involved in counter-insurgency operations. Discussions were also held on the
Bodo situation that has taken an ugly turn. Insurgency in the North East is the
longest running in the country," a source revealed.

Antony was also
informed of the improvement that has taken place in the living condition of
troops deployed in the forward areas, most of which are at high altitudes.
Welfare of troops has been an area where the defence ministry has laid a lot of
stress in recent times. Several measures have been taken to improve the living
conditions of troops, veterans, widows and family members.

"The defence
minister appreciated the role of the officers and troops of the Eastern Command
in maintaining constant vigil along the LAC. He also expressed satisfaction
with the high level of motivation and morale of officers and troops deployed in
difficult and physically-demanding terrain. He commended their role in
enhancing mutual trust understanding between India and China as per
agreements," the source added.

Antony was
received at the RCTC helipad by Lt Gen A K Choudhary, GOC, Bengal Area. The
defence minister, who is also chairman of the Indian Statistical Institute
Council will attend its convocation on Friday. President Pranab Mukherjee will
be the chief guest.

KOLKATA: Defence
minister AK Antony accompanied by Army chief Gen Bikram Singh reached Kolkata
on a two-day visit on Thursday. At the Eastern Command headquarters, Antony was
briefed on the security scenario and operational preparedness of the troops by
GOC-in-C Lt Gen MMS Rai. The minister was also apprised of how peace and
tranquility is being maintained along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) as per
the Border Peace and Tranquility Agreement (BPTA) and Border Defence
Cooperation Agreement (BDCA).

"The briefing
was important as a lot of infrastructure is being developed in this sector for better
preparedness to counter any aggressive move from across the LAC. The minister
was also informed of the situation in the North East where troops are involved
in counter-insurgency operations. Discussions were also held on the Bodo
situation that has taken an ugly turn. Insurgency in the North East is the
longest running in the country," a source revealed.

Antony was also
informed of the improvement that has taken place in the living condition of
troops deployed in the forward areas, most of which are at high altitudes.
Welfare of troops has been an area where the defence ministry has laid a lot of
stress in recent times. Several measures have been taken to improve the living
conditions of troops, veterans, widows and family members.

"The defence
minister appreciated the role of the officers and troops of the Eastern Command
in maintaining constant vigil along the LAC. He also expressed satisfaction
with the high level of motivation and morale of officers and troops deployed in
difficult and physically-demanding terrain. He commended their role in
enhancing mutual trust understanding between India and China as per
agreements," the source added.

Antony was
received at the RCTC helipad by Lt Gen A K Choudhary, GOC, Bengal Area. The
defence minister, who is also chairman of the Indian Statistical Institute
Council will attend its convocation on Friday. President Pranab Mukherjee will
be the chief guest.

KOLKATA: Defence
minister AK Antony accompanied by Army chief Gen Bikram Singh reached Kolkata
on a two-day visit on Thursday. At the Eastern Command headquarters, Antony was
briefed on the security scenario and operational preparedness of the troops by
GOC-in-C Lt Gen MMS Rai. The minister was also apprised of how peace and
tranquility is being maintained along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) as per
the Border Peace and Tranquility Agreement (BPTA) and Border Defence
Cooperation Agreement (BDCA).

"The briefing
was important as a lot of infrastructure is being developed in this sector for
better preparedness to counter any aggressive move from across the LAC. The
minister was also informed of the situation in the North East where troops are
involved in counter-insurgency operations. Discussions were also held on the
Bodo situation that has taken an ugly turn. Insurgency in the North East is the
longest running in the country," a source revealed.

Antony was also
informed of the improvement that has taken place in the living condition of
troops deployed in the forward areas, most of which are at high altitudes.
Welfare of troops has been an area where the defence ministry has laid a lot of
stress in recent times. Several measures have been taken to improve the living
conditions of troops, veterans, widows and family members.

"The defence
minister appreciated the role of the officers and troops of the Eastern Command
in maintaining constant vigil along the LAC. He also expressed satisfaction
with the high level of motivation and morale of officers and troops deployed in
difficult and physically-demanding terrain. He commended their role in
enhancing mutual trust understanding between India and China as per
agreements," the source added.

Antony was
received at the RCTC helipad by Lt Gen A K Choudhary, GOC, Bengal Area. The
defence minister, who is also chairman of the Indian Statistical Institute
Council will attend its convocation on Friday. President Pranab Mukherjee will
be the chief guest.